| Team Dome BMW - Simon & Nick: 12th Jan 2005 |
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Destination Bamako – by plane
Riders competing in the 2005 Telefňnica Dakar Rally have today been air-lifted
to the Bamako
Bivouac ready for tomorrow's thirteenth stage. This news comes after yesterday's decision to
cancel today's planned 586km special stage from Kiffa to Bamako because
of the fatal accident
to Italian rider, 47-year-old Fabrizio Meoni.
The process of assembling all the riders and their bikes was a lengthy operation as rally
organisers requested machines to be brought as close as possible to the
planes in a 'parc fermé'
zone in order to make co-ordination of the plane journey as smooth as possible.
Days of treacherous riding conditions have so far plagued the 2005 Telefňnica Dakar Rally,
however, BMW F650 GS rider Simon Pavey strongly believes that the remaining
four stages
should be easier.
"So far we've all had to suffer days and days of heavy fog, slow riding
and terrible sand storms
but the cancellation of today's stage has rewarded us with a few precious
hours to catch up on
rest, and focus on tomorrow's stage," he said. "I'm still feeling
confident and hope the worst is
behind us now. The next couple of days should be a lot easier."
Tomorrow will see competitors tackle stage 13, which is comprised of a 25km liaison from Bamako
followed by a 370km special stage to Kayes – one of the shortest since
the start of the rally.
Highlights of the 2005 Telefňnica Dakar Rally can be seen on Eurosport. See your TV guide for
details. |
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